Zabuza Momochi

"Protect Mr. Tazuna. Our opponent this time is the Demon Zabuza Momochi. When he graduated, he killed every single one of his classmates."

"He is a truly heinous ninja. This is the Hidden Mist Technique, a top-tier assassination art from Kirigakure. Beware of Zabuza Momochi's sneak attacks."

The rising Thin Mist was permeated with a faint killing intent. Everyone was tense to the breaking point; this was no mere pair of rogue ninjas they had encountered earlier, but a murderous monster far beyond them.

"Naruto Uzumaki, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura, keep an eye on Tazuna. Leave the Demon Zabuza Momochi to me."

Mufeng Uchiha activated his Sharingan, scanning the surroundings, just as the voice of the Demon Zabuza Momochi echoed through the air.

"Stinking brat, you've got some nerve. You want to fight me? Remember, the spot I'm aiming for this time is your heart."

No sooner had the words left his lips than Zabuza Momochi found himself stunned; Mufeng Uchiha had appeared directly behind him.

"Water Style: Water Blade Slash."

Mufeng Uchiha channeled Water Style Chakra into his Kunai and slashed downward at Zabuza Momochi. Relying on the instincts honed through years of life-or-death combat, Zabuza Momochi abruptly raised his Kubikiribōchō to meet the strike.

Clang—

"The Kubikiribōchō isn't very durable, is it? I've already chipped it."

Mufeng Uchiha discarded his broken Kunai, while the Kubikiribōchō in Zabuza Momochi's hand clearly bore a fresh notch.

"Kid, trading a Kunai for a notch in the Kubikiribōchō—that's something to brag about."

Though he spoke lightly, Zabuza Momochi was secretly shocked.

This kid looks like he's only in his teens, yet he managed to sneak up behind me without a sound. I was almost caught by him. I absolutely cannot let him continue to grow!

Zabuza Momochi performed hand seals at lightning speed—over a dozen seals in three seconds. Nine seconds later, the sequence finally concluded.

"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet!"

A ferocious water dragon rose from the river behind him, roaring as it moved to swallow Mufeng Uchiha whole.

"Playing with Water Style in front of me? Do you even know who I learned my Water Style from!"

"Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet."

Mufeng Uchiha used only three hand seals, yet his water dragon was more than twice the size of Zabuza Momochi's.

The violent dragon swallowed the weaker one in the blink of an eye; the roles of attacker and defender had shifted in an instant.

The onlookers finally grasped the true extent of Mufeng Uchiha's strength. Kakashi Hatake abandoned his intention to intervene, now deeply curious to see if Zabuza Momochi could force out the full extent of Mufeng Uchiha's power.

Mufeng's strength is growing stronger by the day. At this rate, the gap between us will only widen. How can I possibly take my revenge like this?

Sasuke Uchiha fell into self-doubt. Life in the village had been too comfortable. Even if he refused to admit it, he had indeed been living under the protection of Mufeng Uchiha. At this rate, he would never surpass Mufeng Uchiha or take revenge on Itachi Uchiha.

"Too careless. To think you wouldn't use any defensive measures—you brought this upon yourself."

The Water Dragon Bullet crashed down, but it only consumed a Water Clone. Zabuza Momochi had already silently transformed into a shadow, swinging his blade horizontally at Mufeng Uchiha.

Clang—

It sounded like Iron Body colliding with steel; the Kubikiribōchō struck Mufeng Uchiha's neck, leaving only a shallow red mark.

"The combination of the Six Powers' Iron Body and Blood Manipulation works quite well. At the very least, a Jonin's full-force strike aimed at a weak point couldn't break my defense."

Seeing this, everyone's pupils constricted; they were completely stunned.

"Big Brother Mufeng is so cool! He didn't even dodge, he just blocked that uncle's giant blade with his bare body. I have to learn that move!"

Aside from the excited Naruto Uzumaki, Kakashi Hatake and the others were utterly shocked by Mufeng Uchiha.

It was common knowledge that ninjas were a profession characterized by high offense and low defense; someone like Mufeng Uchiha had already surpassed the vast majority of ninjas.

"Zabuza, let's test this on you. Blood Manipulation version: Heavenly Weeping."

A large amount of blood erupted from the wound on Mufeng Uchiha's neck, transforming into needles. The next moment, these blood needles pierced toward Zabuza Momochi like a torrential rain of thorns.

"This is blood! A new Kekkei Genkai? The speed is so fast, I can't even react."

The sudden attack from the blood at the wound site caught him off guard; no matter how he thought about it, he never imagined blood could be used as a weapon.

Zabuza Momochi's heart was pierced by the blood needles. Mufeng Uchiha did not deliver a killing blow, merely forcing him into a state of suspended animation.

Beyond the Sharingan, he has also awakened a new Kekkei Genkai, Blood Style. Such terrifying talent—is he still someone I can continue to mentor?

Just as Kakashi Hatake was about to step forward to finish off Zabuza Momochi, three senbon flew from the shadows and pierced the neck of Zabuza Momochi, who lay on the ground.

Yuki Haku, disguised as an Anbu from Kirigakure, finally appeared to collect the body of Zabuza Momochi.

"I am an Anbu from Kirigakure, here to hunt down the rogue ninja Zabuza Momochi. Thank you all for your help. I will now take the body of Zabuza Momochi back."

Kakashi Hatake wanted to ask a question, but Mufeng Uchiha blocked his path and gave a subtle shake of his head.

Watching them leave, the group couldn't help but quicken their pace after the harrowing encounter with Zabuza Momochi.

With everyone picking up the pace, they finally arrived at the home of Tazuna. After days of traveling, they finally had time to rest.

"It's a small place, and I don't have much to offer, so please just make do with what we have."

Back at his own home, Tazuna called for his daughter Tsunami to cook dinner for everyone, hosting them with warm hospitality.

"What's the point? What heroes? We can't deal with Gato; you're all just going to your deaths."

Inari, the grandson of Tazuna, heard that Mufeng Uchiha and the others intended to help, but he responded with deep pessimism, insisting that they could never succeed.

"How will you know if you can't do it if you don't try! My ninja way is to never go back on my word. We will definitely help you finish the Great Bridge, and leave Gato to me, Naruto Uzumaki."

Facing Naruto Uzumaki's grand declaration, Inari remained as pessimistic as ever. Having no interest in watching children bicker, Mufeng Uchiha walked outside to check on his emo younger brother.

Sasuke Uchiha was sitting on the branch of a large tree, gazing at the moon and contemplating life, when Mufeng Uchiha leaped up to sit beside him.

"What's wrong, Second Pillar Kid? Did being triggered by this genius today make you doubt your life? Sigh, don't take it to heart. Your brother and you aren't on the same level, but I suppose I could teach you the Six Powers over the next few days."

Mufeng Uchiha patted his back, his smug expression causing veins to bulge on Sasuke's forehead.

"Damn you, Mufeng! You're only ahead for now; I'll surpass you sooner or later. Besides, I don't need your help, you conceited jerk."

Sasuke Uchiha also realized a problem: he seemed to always be learning things from Mufeng Uchiha, and at this rate, he would never be able to surpass Mufeng Uchiha.

Even Kakashi Hatake might not be a match for Mufeng, so if he wanted to become stronger, he had to find a master more powerful than both of them. He would have to start making preparations as soon as they returned to Konoha.

Mufeng Uchiha saw it all clearly. The Second Pillar Kid had reached his rebellious phase; perhaps he would have to send him to the Orochimaru Nursery just like in the original story.